Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens will clash for a place in the last 32 of the US Open on Wednesday in a match scheduled for prime time under lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It’s a second-round blockbuster pitting American tennis’ present against its future.
Stephens triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2017 – the same year Gauff advanced to the junior singles final – and has been a top-five player. But she has since been overtaken by the rapidly improving Gauff, a 17-year-old star now verging on the top 20.
Both came through three-set thrillers on Monday to book their second-round date – the biggest match on the Day 3 schedule.
“I think the evolution of her game has been really awesome,” said Stephens, who beat good friend Madison Keys 9-7 in a third-set tiebreak to advance.
“It's not very often that you actually see a player from very, very young and then to be as established as she is now is super inspiring.
“I call her ‘Cocofina’, and I have known her since she was like eight. I feel so old because I have actually like grown up and seen her play and practise and stuff.”
Gauff confirmed this connection dating back to her childhood years.
“I do remember when I was 10 years old, I had a birthday party at a water park, and she came to it. All my friends were excited that ‘Sloane Stephens is at your birthday, professional tennis player’. It was really cool,” Gauff revealed.
“I've also been to a couple of her birthday parties, family get-togethers. I've known her for a long time. Her and I started with the same coach, Sly Black. I have a good relationship with her.
“Facing her I guess is going to be a full-circle moment just because I was young when I met her, and now we're going to be playing on one of the biggest stages on Wednesday.”
Although Stephens, as a US Open champion, is used to playing on such stages, she is several years removed from her career zenith.
In a glorious 13-month span beginning September 2017, Stephens won the US Open and Miami Open titles, was a finalist at Roland Garros, Montreal and the WTA Finals, and peaked at world No.3 in July 2018.
But her form tapered in 2019 and in the 15 months from January 2020 to March 2021, she won just five of 21 matches, dropping outside the top 50.
She is currently ranked 66th, but feels she has turned a corner.
“After Australia I did a whole entire reset and I went back to training. I just focused on myself. I made sure that I was happy,” she said.
“I took care of my body, my mind, just really tried to gather myself again and not really worry too much about results and what was happening around me.
“I didn't see results right away, like I still haven't, let's just be real… But I think when you are happy with yourself and inside, it gives you opportunity to have that success.
“It may not happen now … but at this rate, like, I know I'm not a bad tennis player. At some point though it will click.”
Signs are that things are already beginning to click, and should she beat Gauff, Stephens will have reached at least the third round at her past three majors; she went as far as the last 16 at Roland Garros.
But it will be a tough task to unseat Gauff; the 21st seed has in 2021 risen from outside the top 50 to a career-best ranking of No.23 after winning 35 matches.
The most recent of those was a 5-7 6-3 6-4 triumph over Magda Linette at Flushing Meadows, during which Gauff shed her considerable nerves and focused instead on enjoying the contest and atmosphere.
“I think she's a great mover, has a great game,” Stephens assessed. “I think her future is super bright.”
Yet like Gauff, Stephens is also a great mover who blends incredible defence with potent offence.
Gauff is prepared for the significant challenge that awaits her on Wednesday night.
“Obviously (she’s) a very athletic player and super fast. I know I'm going to have to expect a lot of balls to come back. She's definitely going to redirect the ball,” Gauff said.
“I think we're both ready. I think it will be an exciting match.